Getting up on stage is something most people don’t enjoy. Students don’t like speaking in public, or sharing their thoughts. These things however, are just something that doesn’t phase sophomore Tori Stepanek. Stepanek has been acting and doing plays since she was in kindergarten and saw her first play at just six months old. Getting comfortable and growing into her part on stage was a hard process though.

“She’s really improved since she first started,” Sharon Stepanek, Tori’s mom, said. “It’s enjoyable to see her grow. It makes me really proud.”

Stepanek has been in about 25 plays and participates in drama club here at school, as well as Young People’s Theater (YPT) outside of school. Stepanek goes to YPT three or four times a week but when she has plays, there’s more time devoted to it. Depending on the type of production, Stepanek can spend up to 10 weeks preparing for a show. Her next show with YPT, “A Pirate’s Life For Me,” will begin on Oct. 19 and run until Oct. 21.
“Acting is pretty much my life,” Stepanek said. “It takes up a big bulk of my life, but I still really enjoy it.”

Her journey for this passion and enjoyment of acting came early in her life. Her mother took her to see “Peter Pan.” During the entire show, Stepanek sat there on her moms lap with her eyes glued to the stage and a bit of interest in her eyes.

“She couldn’t take her eyes off the show,” Sharon said. “Everyone around us was like, ‘Look at that baby. She isn’t even crying or moving, she’s just watching the show.’ I still get choked up now from talking about it. I think that influenced Tori somewhat. I didn’t mean to get her into it, it just kind of happened by accident.”

Not only does her mom and whole family support her, but her friends are there for her, too. Some of Stepanek’s close friends, like sophomore Thu Nguyen, even go to her shows and see her perform in her plays.

Stepanek’s friends also give her feedback on how to improve on her acting. Overall, they are just there for Stepanek’s moral support.

“I’ve told Tori before that she should do acting for a career,” Nguyen said. “I know she’s good and I know one day she’ll succeed.”